“We’ve always been even, Frost. But if you can help me with this and keep watching Amelie for me, I’ll owe you one.”
“Yes, sir. As soon as she’s back, I’ll watch over her again.”
“Back? What do you mean back? Where the hell is she?” Panic laces my words, making me snap.
“She went away…for a funeral I believe.”
“Whose?” There’s no way it was one of the Knox brothers; I would have been told. Somehow. Only...I blocked my phone to all Order numbers, didn’t I?
“Someone back in her homeland, I believe.”
“She went alone?!”
“No. I believe...Kalen accompanied her.”
Jesus, it’s worse than I thought. What kind of protection is that muppet going to offer?
“I see.” My voice is tight with stress. “I’ll call you tomorrow, for the information. Don’t speak of this conversation to anyone.”
I cut the call.
Shit. This isn’t good. I’m going to have to speak to Camilla. I bet after everything that happened at the Kessler mansion, she’s going to be mighty pissed about this turn of events. And I get to be the lucky guy that gets to fill her in.
Fuck.
Amelie
We buried someone today. I didn’t expect to care, but I kept thinking it could so easily have been Onyx. Do you know what happened to him? Do you even care?
Message Undelivered
It could have been you. And I’m not okay with that, at all.
Message Undelivered
Goddamn it, Batman! I miss you, okay? Just let me know you’re alright for fuck’s sake!
Message Undelivered
Chapter Five
Amelie
The funeral was nice, as far as funerals go. I mean, I barely even knew the guy. He was definitely part of my brother’s crowd. And while I used to try and tag-along with him and Smalls, they definitely had friends I didn’t know about. Judging by their reaction, I wouldn’t have said this guy was a good friend, but then, why would they ask me to come to the funeral for support if they weren’t cut up about his death?
There’s so much I don’t know about Smalls and Aadi’s life. I always knew they sheltered me from a lot. But the crowd gathered today look like some unsavoury characters. Eyes roamed over my body most of the day much to Kalen’s disgust. I have to beg him to drop it. I’m even pretty sure I see a few plain clothed cops watching from a distance.
My father’s house is packed to the brim with men I don’t know, all drinking and telling stories. Chelsea manages to wrangle Kalen into helping her bring out food. I scan the crowd but can’t find Smalls anywhere. He’s a big dude so he isn’t easily missed.
As I head upstairs, the sound of laughter and the beat of some Eminem song fade away. Smalls is sitting on his bed, his hands covering his face. I take a seat beside him, placing my hand on his leg. It’s a gesture I’ve done a million times before, but somehow now it feels wrong. He looks up at me from under his thick lashes, his brown eyes full of sadness. Maybe he is more cut up about this than I originally thought.
“Are you okay?” I ask, and he nods.
“Sometimes this life isn’t fair Amelie. It just sucks that his life was cut short. He had a girl at home...and a son.” He leans forward and places his forehead against mine. “I’ll be okay.”
“You know, you really should go shower. You reek of alcohol, pot, and a teenage boy just hitting puberty.”
He laughs at my comment. “I’m glad you came back,” he says, standing.
